Firsts and nothings

I'm about to do something I've never done on this blog before....post a picture! I'm pretty sure all three of my readers have seen it already, but I'm just so dang happy about it.

 

I'm officially spoken for! Although, that was true before too, I just have two new rings now! 

Anywho, I've been struggling with where I want to take this blog. I originally thought I would chronicle my gluten free adventures, but I'm still pretty boring with my food choices. I've also been finding some beef I have with the gluten-free community and thought about posting my rebuttal to some particularly bothersome blog posts I've read recently. I think this may be something I do in the future, but I don't want to just bitch. I want to explain the other side, explain why it's ok to wallow in self-pity sometimes. I've also been brewing up a writing about why you gluten-eaters don't have to pity me for quite some time. Unfortunately, school just started and I'm putting off some Real Analysis just to type this halfhearted post. 

So, my few, beautiful readers, you get to be my guinea pigs. I'm just going to keep throwing stuff out there once a month or so until something sticks. I know I have great things to say about becoming and being gluten-free, I just don't know what they are yet.

Some progress!

Whew! I’m still under the two month mark, technically. I’ve had such a busy summer so far. I started a new job, bought a new car, avoided killing my cats, TONS of crochet, aaannnnnnnddddd went back on an “elimination diet” of sorts.

I was feeling pretty lousy again and my hair was falling out like crazy. Until I noticed several pounds creeping their way onto my scale in the morning, I just assumed it was stress from all the changes going on. I realized I’d been using lotion containing gluten and felt pretty silly for not even thinking of personal care items. I’m still pretty new to thinking about things I ingest, so lotions, shampoos, makeup, sunscreens, facewash… not even a thought in my mind.

So I cleaned out my bathroom closet and started eating rice, chicken, and veggies again and the first 3 pounds melted off. Considering this is exactly what happened the last time around, I knew I was onto something. Once I started feeling better I guilted myself into working out again, and it’s going well. If it weren't so ridiculously hot outside, I might even ride my bike. 

I’ve brought quite a bit back into my diet now that I’m confident that it’s most likely still just gluten causing all these problems. I am also keeping track of calories because as much as I love food, I forget to eat. A lot. It was 2 p.m. today before I realized I hadn’t taken a lunch, and that’s not uncommon for me. Having a number in front of me has definitely helped keep it more consistent, and I’m using a social app so my “into fitness” friends and I can cheer each other on. 

Things are looking up. Again.

Terrible timing.

I sure did choose the wrong time to try writing on a regular basis.
Two weeks ago I awoke to a cold smacking me in the face and slept quite a bit in an attempt to make the most of my LAST TWO WEEKS of my then job! Friday was my last day working a job that I clearly didn't have a future in. Starting Monday, I will have a job that is not the end of the line on my career train, but it definitely on track. I couldn't be more nervous.
So, with this new job some new habits are essential. I am going to have a more regular meal plan for myself. I used to have a 32 mile commute to a location where Thai food was my only option should I forget to bring something. I wasn't complaining about my options, Thai food is amazing and I'm so glad it's mostly gluten-free. But now I'll have a 13 mile commute to an area riddled with gluteny options. So, this tells me I have more time and a greater need for planning ahead. Ugh. Fine.
For those who know me, asking me to plan ahead is like pulling teeth. Ha, I wasn't even trying to allude to this, but I happened to have three smart teeth pulled this week and am doing fine. So I guess this whole lunch thing should be easy.
I also realized my list of excuses for not working out have been completely depleted. When I feel better, when this semester's over, and when I have a shorter commute have all been checked off the list. So starting next week, I will be working out 3 to 5 times a week, eating healthy, non-curry lunches, and I will be better about writing on a regular basis. This is really going to test my lazy level.

Bye gluten. It was a good gluten.

So, I used to have a laptop. After some poopheads without any morals decided they deserved it more, I've been trying to assess whether it actually needs replacing. I really liked being able to look up my homework assignments, crochet patterns, and funny internet videos (oooohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!) without getting up from the couch. While I don't want the thieves to "win," I am also almost finished with school, and my smart phone pretty much covers everything else.
I'm trying to make this assessment with everything in my life, if I can't think of an immediate use, it's donated, recycled, or reused for another purpose. It's a slow process, but I'm a busy girl.
When I discovered gluten was the likely culprit of my health troubles, I had a pretty hard time letting go of some of my favorite foods without so much as a goodbye. Walking down the cereal aisle still gets a little overwhelming at times. My first accidentally on purpose gluten ingestion after my elimination diet was a granola bar. I justified it because I had skipped breakfast and it was the only food I had at work. I thought the lack of hunger would compensate for any pains I had. It didn't.
So, this assessment was pretty easy but extremely emotional at the same time. I never thought about food ingredients before and I love pasta, cookies, granola, Twizzlers, Non-Gluten-Free Rice Krispies...but I also love going on walks, discovering new foods, migraine-less days, waking up refreshed, and the overall increased quality of life I've gained.
I might get a new laptop, I might never clean out my craft corner, but I will never go back to eating something so detrimental to my health simply because my tummy's a little rumbly or because I reaaaallllllly like Faraci's pizza.

If anyone reading this (do I have any readers?) is having difficulty giving up a certain food, or anything for that matter, I highly suggest giving it up even just for a week. The benefits could be astoundingly life-changing.

The One About Gluten

I'm going to try not to write some long introduction about the three plus years that lead me to where I am now. It's lame for anyone but me, no, including me. I will just say I did an elimination diet in a last ditch effort to help with my "fibromyalgia" and discovered my body does not like gluten. Here are a few symptoms I experienced and would recommend trying gluten-free for (it could change your entire life):

First of all.) All over body pain. This consumed my life and took the longest to subside, more than a week went by before I was totally gone. But accidental gluten consumption brought back the stabbing leg pain and the dull neck, wrist, and shoulder pain within the hour.
2st.) Migraines. Mine are not completely gone, but a certain variety are scratched off my list.
3.) Digestive issues related to meal times. Like my pains, it doesn't take long for my body to let me know it doesn't like what I just ate. It does make for an excellent glutenometer though.
4.) Mood swings. I originally started my adventure because I couldn't stop crying. Like, for real. That lady walking her dog? Sent me to tears. Getting stuck at every traffic light down Lindbergh Blvd? Hysterics. That Chevy's commercial? Well, you get it. I'm definitely an emotional person, but I know my body and something wasn't right.
2nd to last.) Energy. I couldn't find it. There was not a class I took or a car I drove where I was not fighting a losing battle against sleep. My body gave me no choice in the matter. If I was sitting for more than 37 seconds, I went into deep sleep mode.
Last.) Congestion. I save this for last because I have a friend who went gluten free and pointed out that her everyday congestion all but went away after she changed her diet. I didn't notice this as an issue until after I would accidentally ingest gluten and got all stuffy.

So after every blood test, three or four antidepressants, firing my longtime general practitioner, and a inability to accept an eventual diagnosis of fibromyalgia, I tried an elimination diet. I cut out gluten, dairy, alcohol, added sugar, salty meats, and seasonings in general. With the intention of bringing them back in one at a time. After a week, I splurged and ate a Thai Chicken Salad from St. Louis Bread Company, which contains gluteny won ton strips. The rest is history.
I don't know if I have Celiac Disease or just a sensitivity, but my current treatment is the same. Learn about food and stay away from wheat, barley, and rye. My quality of life has gone through the roof, and i can actually function like a normal person again. Disability isn't looming on my horizon anymore. I won't be this long winded in the future, I just wanted my framework laid out somewhere. I just really want to put down all my findings as a personal guide and maybe entertain my friends along the way.